Waterfalls – Big Guy Hiking

Lost Maples SNA East Trail

I am still on my running break and I am getting to hike places I want to revisit. I was here two years ago and loved it. I have not had a chance to get back till now. I wanted to do the East Trail because I missed it the last time. The trail also has two landmarks that the park features. I wanted to see Monkey Rock and the Grotto. Plus I love the view from the top of the park and the waterfalls. The park offers a view of the Milky Way due to the dark sky and lack of light pollution. I wanted to get a view of the Milky Way and I did but no pictures. I tried to get a few but phone cameras are not meant for this type of photography.

The day was very hot but not as humid as it has been lately. I got a good 5 plus miles with over 1200 feet of elevation change. It was a midday midweek hike so not many people on the trail. I saw most of the people in the first and last mile. I was lucky that nobody was up on top of mountain. The views were awesome like last time but greener. The rain has kept the trees greener for a longer time. The hike was just as difficult as last time even though I went counter clockwise this time. Monkey RockThe GrottoAlmost to the topMade it to the topMust have pictureBest picture of the dayWaterfall

I had a really good time and I still need to do the West trail.

Spicewood Springs Colorado Bend State Park

I got back to Colorado Bend State Park and it was much overdue. I hiked the Spicewood Springs area of the park. I hiked down Spicewood Springs and up Spicewood Canyon trails and it was five miles of leg busting beauty. My first trip I did Gorman Falls and that area but I wanted to do the other side of the park this time.

It was the usual hot and humid Texas summer weather. I got to hike it with little to people because I was out there midweek and midday. I can say I did not get lost but just misdirected two or three times. Hiking these trails counter clockwise was not a good idea. I hit all the steep hills on the back half of the hike and the gradual downhills at the beginning.

I wanted to do this section for the waterfalls and the crystal clear pools of water and it did not disappoint. The views were breathtaking and it is hard to put in words all the combinations of sights and sounds. A view from the top of the first big waterfallClear water pool from the waterfallOver the ledge view of another waterfall and clear waterTwin waterfallAnother set of twin waterfalls and more clear waterClear swimming hole Final view from the top

The Texas Hill country is the place to be this summer.

Revisiting an old post

Miscellaneous Hiking Post with a List

In this post there is a 15 before 50 list, I am happy to write I am done with almost half of what I listed. I am surprised that I have done as many as I have done. I focused more on trail running than hiking the last two years but still do some hiking in between races. I am not going to change my list but will recap my progress.

Finished:

4. I hiked to the summit of Elk Mountain on my father’s birthday.

5. I actually hiked to the summit of Pinnacle Mountain twice and the second time was a great solo hike.

7. I had an amazing hike to Cedar Falls in Petit Jean SP. The waterfall was everything I had hoped to see.

8. Canyon Loop Trail in Caprock Canyon SP was awesome and dangerous due to the quick temperature rise.

9. I am counting hiking the Lighthouse Trail in Palo Duro SP even though it was cut off. I hiked all of it that was open.

14. I found Twin Falls in Pedernales SP last week. It was a fun short hike.

15. The Moss Lake and Echo Canyon trail hikes were fascinating and one a my many times I got lost hikes.

Not yets:

2. and 3. I had it planned for this summer but my schedule is getting crazy.

6. Mountain Top trail has not been in my plans. I will look to get this one in early next year.

11. and 12. Hiking Old Baldy and Crystal Cave Trail are in the plans for summer of 2020 because this might be a family trip.

13. My East Trail hike is planned this week. I will be heading to Lost Maples SNA and another state park in the San Antonio area.

As for #1, I had a chance to do Mount Scott hike today. I have also had two previous chances but did other hikes. I am thinking about a day trip to get it done. I also want to do it as an overnight trip for the stargazing

Pedernales Falls SP Pedernales Falls Trail

I am back at Pedernales Falls Trail and this time I went further upstream. Just to get this out of the way, I got lost on the way back and had to follow the horse trail to the main road. I used a compass to go in the right direction and from the main road I hiked back to the parking lot and trailhead.

The falls were flowing with more intensity than the last time I was here. I decided to go to the obvious picturesque spots then headed up the river. I was happy that there were few people out today and got all the pictures I wanted. It was a midday day middle of the week hike so I did not expect to see many people. As most know I love waterfalls and I just kept following them further up the river. I would have kept going but the sound of thunder and a cool breeze with darkened clouds cut my hike short. It did not rain but this area is prone to flash floods and the river rises fast. I did get to parts of the park I had been to before and it was a great hike. The park gets better every time I am here and it did not disappoint. My favorite picture of the dayFour armadillosTrying out new settings on my camera phoneMy favorite beach spotSky was changingClear water and darkening clouds

I have one more day in the Texas hill country before returning home. I visit another park I have to but a different park.

Pedernales Falls State Park Twin Falls Hike

Two years ago a went to Pedernales Falls State Park to go see the Pedernales Falls. I was very impressed with the falls and at the time the best waterfalls I have seen up close. On the trail map there was another trail leading to Twin Falls, I did not have time to go to that trail. I returned to the park a few months later for the single reason to see Twin Falls. I, of course, got lost but hiked up the Pedernales river and had a great time. Third time’s a charm and I found the waterfall this time. I cannot believe I missed the turn last time. The hike was about a quarter mile and there was Twin Falls. The trail leading all the down was closed but I got to the scenic overlook. I was back to the trailhead in thirty minutes. I decided to head back down to the Pedernales river and hike it again. The river was packed with people by the Trammel Crossing trailhead so hiked down river and had some peace and quiet to get a few good pictures. I ended up getting just two miles but it was a nice hike and finally got to see Twin Falls.Twin Falls view from the overlookPedernales RiverTrammel Crossing is under waterHiking buddyTexas Hill Country

I stayed in the park to get another hike in and also visit another local state park. I love being in this area of Texas.

Hidden Hills Half Marathon

The race was amazing. The race was held at Palo Pinto Mountains State Park. The state park is not open yet but the runners got a sneak peek of what the future of the trails might look like at the park. The park is located in Strawn, TX which is about an hour and a half west of the DFW metroplex. The hill country of Texas makes up most of central Texas and this area in the northwest part is beautiful. It has the hills and flowers and some great views.

The race offered distances ranging from 5K all the way up to a 50 miler. I chose the half marathon because I am starting to like this distance. It is long enough to feel like hard work but short enough to recover fairly quick. The half marathon course consisted of two out and backs over a changing terrain. The trails held up well from the rain overnight. They were wet and had some muddy spots but overall in good shape.

The first out and back was a feeling out process and not difficult. The course started with two small but steep uphills. The first major climb came after a water crossing. The water crossing was not too deep so I rock jumped to keep my feet dry. The top of the climb had great views but I could not get good pictures because of the weather. It was cloudy and very very humid. It was smoove sailing down the hill to an area filled with wildflowers. The trail went into a forest type area in which the trail turned a bit muddy. After the muddy section was the turn around point of the race. I decided to get most of my pictures on the way back. I was feeling good and I wanted to get the picture before the second out and back. I got to the start/finish ahead of my three hour half marathon pace.

I started the second out and back drenched in sweat. My shirt and shorts were soaking wet. My shirt was feeling heavy and my shorts were clinging to my legs. My nutrition and hydration was still good but my clothes were an added weight. I had to tuck in my shirt to keep my shorts from falling down. The water crossing was a bit deeper but crossable without getting too wet. At the top of the climb the temperature dropped at least ten degrees. The sky got darker and thicker clouds came rolling over the course. I made it almost to the muddy part when it started to rain on and off. I got to the turn around and the sky opened up. It started to rain consistently. The thunder and lightning started after I was out of the now swamp like muddy section. I could see lightning bolts go from cloud to ground. As I started up the backside of the biggest climb it started to pour. At the top of the climb, it started to hail. By now the trails were flooded and muddy. There were mini waterfalls on the big hill. The water crossing was shin deep. The rock jumping idea was scrapped and I just ran through the water. I finished drenched and exhausted. My time of 3:17:13 was slow but I was happy just to finish.

Overall, I really liked to race but better weather would have made this race great. I did get to see another Texas state park. I have week till my next race in this same area.

2019 Tyler State Park

As I start off the new year, I am trying to up my mileage in both hiking and trail running. I am trying to get more hiking in this year than I did last year and some longer hikes. I also am going to increase my trail running distances and try to get at least one long run a week. For me a long run is anything above ten miles. So far so good with the running but not so much with the hiking. It has been raining so the trails are still closed. I have gotten a couple of runs at Cedar Hill SP on the roads. I much prefer trails but the roads at this state park are hilly and curvy. I also got a run/hike at Tyler SP. It is one of the few parks that hold up well in the rain. If I continue to hold onto these two goals I will prepared for a 50K in March.

My hike/run at Tyler SP was nice since I was on the parts I have not been on yet. I now have finished this park also. I have a handful of Texas state parks that I have hiked the entire park. The biggest surprises at this part of the park were the many small waterfalls scattered along the trails. It was probably due to all the rain but it was nice to hear the running water for most of the 9 miles on the trail. Of course the huge east Texas pine trees and loblollies trees are always impressive.

I am a week away from my first run. I am starting off with an 11 Miler then going to a new for me state park the next day. Getting those outdoor miles in in the best way.

Best of 2018 Trails upon Trails

This year I hiked 50 new trails in 45 new places. I was doing the 52 Hike Challenge Explorer Series which is to hike 52 new places in 12 months. I did not get to 52 new trails but the 50 new trails were worth the travel. I found some local city parks and many state parks. I ventured into two other states besides Texas. I liked the hikes in Arkansas and Oklahoma and already have plans to return to both states. I also had some first in my trail running. I did my first 1/2 Marathon, 20K, 25K and 50K all on trails. 2018 was an awesome year to be outside.

Austin, TX

Tulsa, OK

Dallas, TX

Mount Magazine 20K

Wild Hare 50K

Mount Nebo, Arkansas

Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Oklahoma

2018 was an incredible year and my plans for 2019 are even more adventurous.

New Year’s Day Outside Activities

Not quite a dive but more like a dip. More on that later. I convinced my kids that it would be fun to do a New Year’s Day hike and then jump into cold water. The weather the days before had been in the mid 60s and dry. The adventure looked like the timing would be perfect. Hiking in 60 degree weather with the sun shining and a great view of a three tier waterfall. After a short but hilly hike, a plunge into cold water but returning to warm air sounded awesome. The main problem was Texas weather. A cold front blew in the night before and instead of mid 60s we had low 30s. I do not mind hiking in cold weather. I have hike long distances in the teens and low 20s so the temperature did not concern me. The kids on the other hand preferred the warmth of their beds. I eventually got them up and out of the house. The good thing is we have had a bunch of rain lately and the waterfall at Cleburne State Park was flowing really strong. The creek crossing that was not overflowing two weeks ago was now overflowing. We had to get a baby across and make a jump onto slick rocks without falling. We all survived but others around us did not even try to cross with small children.Where we made our jumpThe waterfallCold but happy

Next up was a drive to Dinosaur Valley State Park for the Dino Dive. The water was cold but the air temperature was the worst part. We chickened out of a full submerging but did get our feet wet and that was it. We agreed to jump in next year no matter the temperature.The plunge area which was very deep and a fast of current also.All smiles before the dipStill smiling but they look so coldYes that is me in the cold water

It was a fun day overall. I had a great time with my kids and they a good time also. We are going to make this a tradition so we can get outside do fun stuff.

Next blogs will be some top 10 2018 moments.

Cleburne State Park and slight year in review

As time was running out on my 52 Hike Challenge Explorer Series, I got one more hike to get to 50. I did not get to 52 but this challenge had me in places I never thought I would go. I ventured to east and west Texas. I went to the Texas Panhandle and the hill country. I went to city parks, state parks and national lands in three states. I was injured for two months and it rained daily for a month and a half. I hiked up mountains and down into canyons. I saw waterfalls of all shapes and sizes. I hiked in temperatures in the 90s and in the teens. In the past two years of the 52 Hike Challenge, I have been to over 70 different parks. I have also decided to do it again this year. The last hike of year was definitely not the least.

I once again headed to Cleburne State Park to finish the trails in the park I have not been on yet. 8.3 miles later I have officially hiked the entire park. I have done this in about ten parks. I had a good group of guys to hike and run with on this hike. I really liked seeing the other parts of this park and they are nice but the highlight is always the three tier waterfall in the center of the park.